Monday, March 12, 2012

Davao mall goes Green FridaysBy Carina L. Cayon


DAVAO CITY, Mar. 9 (PIA) – As its contribution in protecting the environment, the Abreeza Mall here has embarked on a greening advocacy urging shoppers to minimize the use of plastic bags.      

The Ayala-owned mall launched today (Mar.9) the Green Fridays campaign in collaboration with its merchants, aiming to encourage customers of using biodegradable packaging or paper bags in lieu of plastic bags.

Abreeza operations manager Antonio Luigi C. Escano said that the advocacy aspires for mall clients to make it a habit to use an eco-bag to save the environment.

While shopping every Friday starting March 9, mall shoppers could use any reusable bags or the Ayala Malls Eco bag available at the mall’s concierge for P50 each, Escano told the media during the Kapihan sa PIA-XI held at the Abreeza VIPinoy Lounge.

He said that incentive program is offered to participating customers who will get a chance of winning El Nido travel packages in Palawan and one unit of Avida Village House and Lot for the period March 9 to June 1, 2012. Grand raffle draw is on June 13.

A shopper will get one raffle coupon for every use of the Ayala Malls eco bag or any reusable bags, and paper bag/box when shopping at any merchant of the mall (food and non-food) during the promo period.

“Hopefully the customers will be encouraged to participate in the campaign,” Escano stated.

He said that the Ayala Malls commits to plant 100 citrus fruit trees for every 10,000 raffle coupons issued in partnership with World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

The trees will be planted at the Abuan Watershed in Northern Sierra Madre National Park, Isabela province, with the aims to increase infiltration/aquifer recharge and baseflows, and reduce erosion and sedimentation of the Abuan river.

In Davao City, the Ayala Malls has also planted trees in Toril as part of the mall’s greening program, Escano said.

The Abreeza Mall’s existing environment initiatives and practices include the use of rainwater, water treatment plant in all facilities, recycling, environment-friendly equipment and airconditioning units that are energy efficient.  

Meanwhile, Department of Environment and Natural Resources legal and regional information chief Engr. Nestor Patnugot said that the department is 100 percent supporting the Green Fridays of Abreeza Mall.

He said that the advocacy responds well to the government’s environment protection program that gears towards replacing plastics with biodegradable materials or paper bags. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)


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